Daily Boost — Motivation and Personal Growth

How Opening New Doors Fuels Your Dreams

One of my favorite questions is, “What CAN I Do?” 

No matter how challenging a situation. 

Answering that question always reveals a clear path.

As they navigate our new world, I hear my clients ask me that question too. 

My answer usually goes something like this -

“Can can you do? When you open a new door, you will find a new opportunity. Start opening more doors.”

Feeling empowered in a world that is draining your energy is like Tesla on a cross-country trip without charging stations is difficult. If you want to ensure you are never running low, remember that dreams, possibilities, potential, and a feeling of certainty are all powered by new opportunity.

When you open a new door, an opportunity reveals itself. Your challenges will fade as you focus on the new way. But you must be willing to open a new door to find it.

The key to thriving in uncertain times is finding opportunities behind new doors. All you have to do is open the door. 

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Strategies for Getting Things Done

As always, 2023 is a year that gives us new challenges every day. With many working remotely, the question of productivity is coming up more and more. 

So how do we get things done in this environment?

I'm a fan of planning a week in advance and holding space on my schedule for what needs to be done. There's nothing like giving yourself a pre-determined amount of time and trying to shoehorn everything on your list into it. 

But we can improve on that method:

1) Delete it. Review every task and decide if it's something that needs your attention. 

2) Delegate it. If the task rises to a level of importance, ask yourself if somebody else can do it. If so, pass it on.

3) Delay it. This option only applies to items you may need or want to spend time on in the future. Hide it away where you won't look at it every day. Someday, when you have time, you can decide what to do.

4) Do it. Sometimes the buck stops with you. Now that everything else is off your plate, you can schedule a time to complete it.

Winning the day is about making sure the most important things in your life get done. What will that be today?

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Shift Your Story - What, Why, When, Where, Who

A long time ago, when I was in broadcast school, we spent a lot of time learning journalism rules. While the subject can fill books, you can answer almost anything by asking -

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

If you know that information, you can create a complete story.

Years later, I re-arranged the formula for my personal growth. Every time I decide to take my life in a new direction and create a new story, I ask -

What? Why? When? Where? Who? 

Occasionally I need to ask HOW to reach my goal, but that usually takes care of itself.

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Finding Happiness By Embracing Your True Passions

Have you ever asked, "How can I figure out what makes me happy?"  

Recently, a client confessed her life was about doing and chasing. Every day she settles into a routine of going about her day - all while dreaming of what will make her happy. Then she noticed something.

It turns out that after she completed her MUST list, she turned her attention to what she loved. And it wasn't that different. She was mindlessly happy. 

However you choose to spend your days, your actions serve you even if you are dreaming of something completely different. 

Writers write. Mechanics repair. Complainers complain. Happy people are happy.

If you want to move closer to your dreams, decide WHO you want to be and WHAT you want to do. Then do more of it every day.

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Destination Success

Change is one of those things that happens over time for most people. 

Sometimes you have no choice. 

If you have been thinking about tweaking your life, I have some suggestions to get you started:

1) No matter what dreams you hold, inventory the good, bad, and ugly of your current situation. You can't move forward if you don't know where you are starting. Don't be afraid. Information is power.

2) Next, decide WHAT you want and paint a picture of your life after your journey. Knowing your destination before you begin assures your success.

3) Now that you have laid the foundation, it's time to understand WHY you want it so bad. Doing the previous two steps should have built your desire and excitement. When that happens, it's time to lock in your WHY and get moving.

Know where you are, what you will create, and WHY you must achieve your goal. Realistic and grounded thinking makes anything possible.

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Uncomfortable Growth and Building Lasting Self-Confidence

I got off the phone with a client who told me I insulted her with a comment on a recent call when I said, “Your self-confidence is low, and that’s okay. Everybody has low self-confidence - even if they walk with a swagger that says otherwise.”

It turns out she spent the entire day pondering my comment. Then she realized that I was referring to a moment along her journey. 

Let me put it another way.

No matter how long you live, how much you succeed, or how much swagger you have in your walk, there will always be someplace in your life where you feel like the underdog. It’s the same way for everybody. As soon as you take the next step, your self-confidence is forever boosted - until the next step arrives. The process will continue throughout your life.

If you want unstoppable self-confidence, get used to feeling uncomfortable and taking action anyway. 

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The Goal Paradox: Distractions on the Path to Success

Do you have a long-term goal on paper, a computer file, or in your mind? 

Is that a goal that you want so much that it could also be a distraction?

It’s common for me to run into someone working to get what they want. As momentum builds, they decide to take a shortcut. They take a leap of faith and go for it - only to see the dream slip through their fingers and fade. 

Why does this happen?

Building toward success also builds self-esteem and excitement. It can be tempting to disrupt the same day-to-day process that has propelled your progress. However, if you jump too soon, those disruptions turn into distractions. When that happens, you undermine the foundation of your success.

What’s the fix? 

Achieving big goals is like saving money. Over time, your efforts compound, and you can have anything you want. Be patient, and keep moving.

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Rock Star vs. Band Member: The Journey to Success

I have a question for you -  

Are you a Rock Star or a member of the band?

Either is okay, but it sure helps to know which role you play while you are moving toward your goals.

I remember talking with my son after graduation. He had set his sights on becoming a Rock Star. Now, as a Dad who has BIG dreams and hard-won experience, I knew I had to give him perspective. So I asked -

Are you willing to do what it takes to rise to the top? And if you don’t get what you want, will you be happy settling for life in the background?

That’s when he said, “I wouldn’t be happy being a background singer.”

He chased his dreams for a few years until he found a new passion that fits him like a glove. He may not be on stage, but he is a huge fish in a massive pond - and happy as a clam. You might call him a Rock Star!

You will always get what you want if you are willing to do whatever it takes to reach your dreams. 

How bad do you want it?

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The Power of Stop, Think, Think Again

With everything happening in the world, it isn’t easy to make good decisions. Being a former fat guy living in a relatively thin body, I learned a life lesson I still use daily that helps.

As a kid, going out to eat was a special occasion. One weekend my parents introduced me to the concept of an all-you-can-eat Steak House! From that day forward, I knew I would live in my Husky pants until I found a solution. Years later, I did.

In the beginning, I adopted a philosophy of choosing food that said, “Stop. Think. Order.” If that doesn’t work, I employ my advanced version, “Stop. Think. Think again. Order.”

Years later, I streamlined my thinking to “Stop. Think. Think again. Act.” I also began to apply it to everything I do.

One day I mentioned my new-found thinking to my Mom. She said, “That’s like listening before speaking and thinking before acting. Hmm… that sure sounds like something I may have said to you before.”

I’ll never admit it.

Stop. Think. Think Again. Act. 

Today is going to be awesome.

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It’s Better NOT to Push Through the Pain

Levi is my high-energy Australian Shepard. I can count on him to always be at my side and ready to go - until I noticed something was off.

After a trip to the Vet, we figured out that intensely chewing his toys and breaking a few teeth. He's an all-in working dog, after all. Nothing will stop him from doing his job.

It's been a while since the surgery, and he's doing great. I remember when I asked how long until he was up to speed again, the Doctor said -

"He's been pushing so hard and living with a lot of pain. Now that the pain is gone, I wouldn't doubt he pops right back feeling and acting better than ever!"

Hmm… that sure sounds like what I find in some humans.

Why work through the pain when you can just get rid of anything causing pain in your life?

It is much easier to remove the pain so you and focus on positive solutions in front of you.

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